THERE’S nothing like a harsh winter to bring out the creativity of school kids, especially when there’s a massive gritter involved and a council willing to let them name it.
East Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland received more than 200 suggestions from primary school pupils to christen the latest additions to its gritting fleet.
Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi has had a gritting lorry named in his honourCredit: SWNS
One of the winning pupils with his suggestionCredit: SWNS
Dozens of brilliant, punny suggestions were submitted, and one -inspired name in particular, hit all the right notes.
Daniel, a pupil in Primary 7, came up with the biggest belter of the bunch, a homage to Scotland’s own chart-topping superstar: “Lew-ice Ca-plough-di.”
Three other top entries were also selected to be emblazoned onto the sides of the vehicles.
“Beast from the East” made the cut, named after P5 student Jackson learned about 2018’s record-breaking event in a recent lesson.
“Ctrl+Alt+De-ice” was another winner, as suggested by two -mad P6 students.
And finally, “Mugdock Melter,” a reference to a famous country park in the area, was chosen.
Yet funny gritter names are not a new phenomenon, reveals the many bizarre names councils have given their trucks.
Sir Salter Scott and Sir Andy Flurry have been gracing Scottish roads for many years.
People can keep track of the movements of the vehicles on the interactive map, from Veruca Salt ploughing away in to hitting the roads in .
Other highlights include Gritty Gritty Bang Bang, Gritty Gonzales, Gritallica and Grittie McVittie.
It’s not just Scotland that has a sense of humour, crowned David Plowie the winner, beating other valiant entries like Rule Grittania and Spready Mercury.
This year’s East Dunbartonshire entries were reviewed by a panel of judges including Councillor Paul Ferretti and members of the Fleet team.
Between their gritting shifts, the newly named trucks visited the winning schools so pupils could see their choices adorned on the sides.
The winners were handed certificates by Councillor Ferretti and their classmates took part in a fun road safety session from the fleet team in the playground.
Councillor Ferretti said: “An appeal was put out to the primary school children of East Dunbartonshire to come up with memorable names to mark the expansion of the gritting fleet, and the children absolutely delivered.
“With so many clever and witty submissions, the judging process was a tough but enjoyable process, and we have got four crackers in time for Christmas.
“The role of the gritting fleet is a vital part of the Council’s Winter maintenance programme and the Name A Gritter competition was a fun way to raise awareness amongst our school children of the work done to keep pedestrians and vehicles moving during the Winter months.
“Many thanks to all the children who took part and the teachers and headteachers who supported.”
The new gritter: Lew-ice Ca-plough-diCredit: SWNS 
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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